Grade 2 Core Skills

These courses are aimed at whitewater beginners who have some experience of kayaking on flat water already, at semi experienced grade 2 kayakers who are looking for some structured coaching toward their independence and progression, and anyone in between.

Participants should have basic boat control skills on flat water, be able to paddle forwards over a reasonable distance, and be able to hold themselves stable in their kayak.

You'll have professional guiding and coaching from an experienced and qualified member of staff throughout your two days. We also give you an action plan for your progression going forward, plus further remote input whenever you seek it.

Access to the long-term Mentorship program is included, along with digital copies of any photos from your time on the River Dee.

Accommodation and food are not included. We are happy to share hotel recommendations local to our most likely course venues around Llangollen so you can stay close to the river.

Transport to and from the river is not included unless agreed otherwise. Boat hire or equipment use can be arranged at additional cost if you need it, and car parking or facility fees sit outside the course.

Joe Halliwell-Dykes delivers this course. His qualifications include BCAB White Water Kayak Coach (Advanced Water).

Joe has been passionate about kayaking and paddlesports for the majority of his life, starting off on the River Dee and now paddling wherever and whenever he gets the opportunity, whether that's creeking, playboating or whitewater SUP. He runs courses as well as day to day operations.

If you have any further questions about this course we are happy to answer them. Just get in touch and we will talk through the course, the river, and what you want from the two days.

We need all participants to fill out a client registration form so we have all of your necessary details before you join us on the water.

Ideally, this course is designed for paddlers ages 18+. However, junior paddlers aged 16 and over are welcome to join any of our open training courses, provided they have the required skill level.

We may also extend this offer to paddlers aged 14+ in certain circumstances if we know them and they are mature for their age, and this may be decided case by case. Please just get in touch and we will see what we can do.

Boat hire or equipment use is not included as standard. This can be arranged at additional cost if you need a boat or extra kit for the two days, so get in touch and tell us what you need.

Transport to and from the river is not included unless agreed otherwise. Car parking or facility fees are also not included in the course.

Accommodation and food are not included in the course. We are happy to share hotel recommendations local to our most likely course venues around Llangollen.

We can happily point you toward local options around Llangollen and North Wales so you can stay close to the River Dee while you train.

Access to the long-term Mentorship program is included in your course, alongside an action plan for your progression going forward. That support sits alongside the coaching you receive on the water during the two days.

You'll receive further remote input whenever you seek it after your Grade 2 Core Skills days, so the work does not stop when you leave the river.

Digital copies of any photos from the trip are included in your course. We share the shots captured during your time on the River Dee so you can look back on the two days.

Your time on the river is captured so you can relive the moments from your Grade 2 Core Skills course after you leave Llangollen and keep working on the skills you built.